After these documents were translated they were found to be from the Gnostic origin, such as the Gospel of Truth, The Gospel of the Egyptians, the Apocryphon of John, the Acts of peter and the twelve Disciples, and the Apocalypse of Peter. Of the greatest significance was the entire Gospel of Thomas. This Gospel was only known in a few Greek fragments. One of the most valuable aspects of Thomas is that many of its writings and most of its content seem to resemble much of the synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. The writings in Thomas are much less descriptive and they lack detail thus leading the reader to believe it is an extension of canonical books of the Bible. Some believe that the writings of Thomas preserve some of Jesus" teachings that are as old, if not older than those that are canonical. These writings show Jesus as a historical Jesus. .
Jesus" boyhood was unknown to many people during the second century. Several narratives have attempted to fill the eighteen year gap in Jesus" life. The Gospel of Thomas portrays Jesus as a young and mischievous little boy who has no discipline. Having no rule or manner due to being a child, the Gospel states that Jesus would play tricks on his home and on his village. The Gospel even states that Jesus would strike dead those who would appose Him. The Gospel closes with retelling the story of Jesus at age twelve at the temple in Jerusalem. It says nothing about Jesus as a young man, Leaving blank eighteen years of his life before he goes to his cousin John for baptism. .
The Book of James, also called the Infancy Gospel of James, supplies us with background information on Jesus" parents, family and His miraculous birth. In this Gospel, that James wrote, Jesus is identified as the stepbrother to James. In this Gospel, Harrods murderous attempts to kill his future accessory are carefully noted with detail. .
The early church did not quickly or unanimously portray Jesus as one characteristic.